Occupational Lung Disease | PPE Solutions

SUBJECT: LUNG DISEASE IN THE UNITED STATES
ORGIN: Moldex Technical Services Department
DATE: Updated November 2006
REVIEWED/UPDATED: July 2015

Overview

Occupational asthma and other lung diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are still a common occurrence in today’s workplaces. It is estimated that COPD caused more than 15,000 deaths in 1996, and occupational asthma resulted in more than 800 deaths in the same year. The costs to the United States in were $8.5 billion.

Some of the major causes of occupational COPD can be attributed to coal dust, cotton dust, silica, and grain dusts. Asthma may be caused by contaminants such as natural rubber latex, animal dander and platinum salts. Additionally, non-compliance with the Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR1910.134) was the fourth most common violation cited by Federal OSHA as of 2014. Many employees that should be wearing respiratory protection are not being protected.

Moldex® Solution

Moldex^® offers a wide range of half mask respiratory products including disposable N, R, and P respirators ranging from 95% efficiency all the way up to 100% (99.97%). Moldex^® also offers reusable half mask respirators with a wide variety of cartridges and prefilters.

Affected Industries

Anywhere where there are excessive dusts, fumes, or chemical vapors.

Reference

CDC Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: https://www.cdc.gov/copd/

Top 10 most frequently cited OSHA standards insolated in FY 2014

Karr, Al. (2001). The 10 Deadly Sins. Safety & Health, 6, 42-48.
(2002). Workplace Lung Disease Costs Billions; Rising Incidence Warrants Intervention. Occupational Safety & Health Reporter, 3, 48.

WARNING: The information contained in this Tech Brief is dated and was accurate to the best of Moldex’s knowledge, on the date above. It is not meant to be comprehensive, nor is it intended to be used in place of the warning/use instructions that accompany Moldex respirators. Outside of the USA, check with all applicable and local government regulations.